Office of Safety Net and Health Access
Strengthening access to essential health services for uninsured adults, ages 19 to 64, in Tennessee..Care Coordination for Uninsured Adults
The former Uninsured Adult Healthcare Safety Net Program has transitioned to the Office of Safety Net and Health Access, within the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Disparities Elimination.
The Office of Safety Net and Health Access strengthens access to essential health services for uninsured adults ages 19–64 by partnering with Federally Qualified Health Centers, community- and faith-based organizations, and Project Access to support primary care, dental care, behavioral health services, and specialty care coordination across Tennessee.
The State of Tennessee provides Safety Net services through the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS).
- TDH offers programs and services through County and Regional Health Departments, and
- TDMHSAS administers the Behavioral Health Safety Net.
Partnerships and Services
The Office of Safety Net and Health Access partners with Federally Qualified Health Centers, Community- and Faith-Based Organizations, the Tennessee Charitable Care Network, the Tennessee Primary Care Association, and Project Access. These partnerships help increase access to healthcare for uninsured adults ages 19 through 64 by providing:
- Primary care
- Dental care
- Behavioral health services, and
- Specialty care coordination services
Participating providers submit quarterly reports and receive payment based on the number of eligible patient encounters.
Related Initiatives & Programs
Office Contact
Alle Crampton, Uninsured Adult Healthcare Safety Net Program Director
Email: Alle.M.Crampton@tn.gov
Phone: 629-208-5444
Access to Health Services
Tennessee Project Access Network
The Tennessee Project Access Network serves all 95 Tennessee counties and has provided specialty care services to patients in 86 counties. The program operates through five regional offices located in Chattanooga, Johnson City, Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis.
The Tennessee Project Access Network does not provide direct clinical health care services. Instead, it partners with networks of physicians, health care providers, hospitals, and other facilities. The program helps patients access specialty care, diagnostic services, preventive care, and care management, including support for social service needs.
Uninsured Adult Safety Net
The Tennessee Department of Health's Uninsured Adult Healthcare Safety Net Program supports public health by increasing access to primary care and dental care services. The Safety Net includes primary care and detal providers at TDH's Local Health Departments, behavioral services through the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and the Tennessee's Medicaid program through the Division of TennCare.
Patient Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for services, patients must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be between 19 and 64 years of age
- Be uninsured
- Live in Tennessee
- Have an income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Healthcare Safety Net Annual Reports
The Safety Net Annual Reports provide data and program updates on how Tennessee’s Uninsured Adult Healthcare Safety Net Program and its partners expand access to essential health services for uninsured adults across the state.
This Page Last Updated: September 4, 2026 at 8:23 AM